I Asked 5 Experts To Name the Best Mozzarella Cheese—They All Said the Same Thing

One of the star ingredients in Italian food, spanning from the heartier Northern classics to the more tomato-leaning Southern dishes, is mozzarella cheese. The classic Italian staple, which I keep stocked in my fridge at all times, is known for its palatable, creamy, and mild flavor profile. It can be found atop pizza, stacked on sandwiches, mixed into pasta bakes, and more. 

While I most often find myself relying on mozzarella logs to meet my cheesy needs, recently, I was running low on time and wishing I had a pre-shredded bag readily available. I realized I was pretty unfamiliar with the different shredded mozzarella options available. 

I reached out to some of my most trusted chefs for their advice on which brand to buy, and, to my surprise, they all came back with a unanimous consensus. 

The Mozzarella-Loving Chefs

The Mozzarella To Buy

“BelGioioso’s Shredded Mozzarella is the best out there,” says Taylor. “It’s widely available and delivers on both flavor and texture, which is a rare combination for pre-shredded cheese.” This “rare combination” is also what makes the brand stand out to the four other chefs who highlighted the brand’s cleaner ingredient list, meltability, and fresh flavor as winning characteristics.

BelGioioso mozzarella does “come in different forms, for instance, pearls, slices, and balls,” says Tobby; however, its shredded cheese stands out because, Taylor explains: “Unlike many pre-shredded mozzarellas packed with anti-caking agents and starches, this one melts beautifully and tastes real.” 

With only three ingredients—milk, salt, and enzymes—BelGioioso avoids the synthetic or grainy textural elements found in some other brands. As Hammond says, “a lot of other brands over-process or over-salt their cheese, but this one lets the simplicity of the recipe shine.”

The simplicity of BelGioioso’s recipe translates to its ease of use, primarily the cheese’s meltability. With “fewer additives,” says Randhawa, “BelGioioso’s shredded mozzarella tastes more authentic and melts beautifully without becoming oily.” Because it melts so beautifully, it makes for a great shortcut in instances when one might traditionally gravitate towards a log. 

For example, explains Clark: “It’s super convenient for dishes like pizza or lasagna when I need something fast.” In general, says Tobby, “shredded mozzarella is a low-moisture, pre-grated product that is firmer and drier, making it perfect for melting in casseroles, lasagna, and on pizza since it has a stretchy yet firm consistency.”

In terms of the cheese’s flavor profile, “it’s consistently fresh-tasting with a creamy texture and a subtle milky flavor,” says Randhawa. Clark agrees, seconding, “BelGioioso has such a fresh, creamy taste that is super delicious.”